Michael O'Brien's Super 25 high school football rankings for Week 13

Joy filled Morris on Saturday night: fireworks, horns, and more. The town’s beloved Warriors had knocked off Montini, a private school powerhouse, in the Class 4A playoffs.

A similar scene likely played out at Downers Grove North, where the Trojans beat Catholic League power St. Rita in a 7A playoff showdown. Lincoln-Way West knocked off St. Laurence in another 7A matchup.

The three results were notable after much of the past week was spent debating IHSA bylaw proposals that would split public and private schools into separate state playoffs or give them separate paths into the state semifinals.

Here is Morris coach Alan Thorson, when asked if he wanted public vs. private playoff matchups to go away:

"If I am winning, I love it. I don’t even know how to answer that. We’ve lost some good ones to these guys and [Joliet Catholic]. But man, when you can beat them, it is such a special thing. What a great atmosphere. Credit to both schools and both communities. To play a game like this, in this environment, this is what high school football is all about.”

Morris fan Dane Zumbahlen made a pertinent point on X after the game:

“These games should not go away. You have to relish the opportunity like we did in ‘05 vs [Joliet Catholic]. You have to beat the best to be the best. They don’t always go your way, but it’s games like these that built Morris football.”

The Downers Grove North, Morris and Lincoln-Way West games are just three isolated results, however. Private schools will still likely win state championships in 8A, 7A, 6A, 5A and 3A, which will lead to more outcry against the current system.

Injury bug

Several quarterbacks were injured during the second-round games. Montini lost Israel Abrams early in the second half of the loss to Morris. St. Rita quarterback John Fennell dislocated his thumb on the first series against Downers Grove North and split time the rest of the way.

Batavia’s Michael Vander Luitgaren left late in the first half against Brother Rice. He eventually returned in the second half.

IC Catholic quarterback Nate Lang didn’t play at all against Johnsburg. Junior Jake Yost stepped in for the Class 3A favorites, throwing for 190 yards in the win.

Wheaton gunslingers

Two young Wheaton quarterbacks played well in the second round.

Wheaton-Warrenville South’s AJ Rogers threw for 355 yards and 3 touchdowns in a win against Riverside-Brookfield. Rogers has played well all season, and his profile is growing around the area. The Tigers will host Normal West in the quarterfinals.

Wheaton North’s Grant Neibch is basically an unknown. The sophomore was called up to varsity in Week 6. He led an 80-yard touchdown drive in the last 90 seconds to upset Geneva 36-35 in the second round. The Panthers will travel to Fenwick for the quarterfinals.

Super 25 updates

The biggest rankings whiff this season was St. Ignatius, which was not even in the preseason Super 25.

Even when the Wolfpack joined the rankings, they remained underrated. Dominant road wins at St. Rita and Providence should have earned them more recognition.

St. Ignatius knocked off Maine South 35-21 on the road in the second round and has finally cracked the top ten. The Wolfpack hosts Loyola in the quarterfinals. They lost 38-7 in Wilmette in Week 7.

Fenwick, Wheaton-Warrenville South, Wheaton North and Cary-Grove join the Super 25 this week. All are still alive in the playoffs.

Super 25 high school football rankings for Week 13

With record and last week's ranking.

1. Lincoln-Way East (11-0) 1

Won 24-7 vs. Hinsdale Central.

Next: Hosts No. 4 Mount Carmel (8A).

2. Loyola (10-1) 2

Won 42-0 vs. York.

Next: At No. 9 St. Ignatius (8A).

3. Brother Rice (9-2) 3

Won 49-6 vs. No. 12 Batavia.

Next: At Normal (7A).

4. Mount Carmel (9-2) 4

Won 56-0 vs. Barrington.

Next: At No. 1 Lincoln-Way East (8A).

5. Hersey (11-0) 5

Won 31-21 vs. Glenbard West.

Next: At Lincoln-Way West (7A).

6. IC Catholic (10-1) 6

Won 42-7 vs. Johnsburg.

Next: At Byron (3A).

7. Bolingbrook (10-1) 7

Won 22-14 vs. Lyons.

Next: At No. 8 Oswego (8A).

8. Oswego (10-1) 9

Won 21-18 vs. Naperville North.

Next: Hosts No. 7 Bolingbrook (8A).

9. St. Ignatius (9-2) 12

Won 35-21 at No. 13 Maine South.

Next: Hosts No. 2 Loyola (8A).

10. Downers Grove North (10-1) 16

Won 17-7 vs. No. 20 St. Rita.

Next: At Richards (7A).

11. Providence (9-3) 17

Won 42-34 at Morgan Park.

Next: Hosts Carbondale (5A).

12. Batavia (8-3) 11

Lost 49-6 at No. 3 Brother Rice.

Season complete.

13. Maine South (9-2) 8

Lost 35-21 vs. No. 9 St. Ignatius.

Season complete.

14. New Trier (10-1) 18

Won 26-23 vs. No. 16 Homewood-Flossmoor.

Next: At No. 17 Huntley (8A).

15. Morris (11-0) 19

Won 41-7 vs. Montini.

Next: Hosts Sterling (4A).

16. Homewood-Flossmoor (8-3) 12

Lost 26-23 at No. 14 New Trier.

Season complete.

17. Huntley (11-0) 20

Won 42-0 vs. Lane.

Next: Hosts No. 14 New Trier (8A).

18. Nazareth (7-5) 21

Won 49-6 vs. Simeon.

Next: Hosts Quincy (6A).

19. Prospect (10-1) 23

Won 50-10 vs. Guilford.

Next: At East St. Louis (7A).

20. St. Rita (7-4) 14

Lost 17-7 at No. 10 Downers Grove North.

Season complete.

21. Fenwick (8-3) NR

Won 38-13 vs. Hononegah.

Next: Hosts No. 23 Wheaton North (6A).

22. Wheaton-Warrenville South (8-3) NR

Won 45-14 vs. Riverside-Brookfield.

Next: Hosts Normal West (6A).

23. Wheaton North (8-3) NR

Won 36-35 vs. No. 24 Geneva.

Next: At No. 21 Fenwick (6A).

24. Geneva (9-2) 10

Lost 36-35 vs. No. 23 Wheaton North.

Season complete.

25. Cary-Grove (9-2) NR

Won 43-14 vs. King.

Next: Hosts St. Francis (5A).